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Post by shortstop on Aug 15, 2016 20:07:01 GMT -5
Guys I really need prayer right now... I'm losing faith. I'm not even sure I believe in God right now and I'm just so confused. Things just don't make any sense and I can't tell anyone what I'm thinking because I'm scared and people in my church are relying on me to lead worship and run visuals and I just don't know what to do. Like I said I'm not even really sure about God right now but if He's there I really need help.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 20:09:01 GMT -5
Guys I really need prayer right now... I'm losing faith. I'm not even sure I believe in God right now and I'm just so confused. Things just don't make any sense and I can't tell anyone what I'm thinking because I'm scared and people in my church are relying on me to lead worship and run visuals and I just don't know what to do. Like I said I'm not even really sure about God right now but if He's there I really need help. i'll be praying for you in my nightly prayers bby <3 i'm sorry that you're going through this. i really fell away from God for a couple of years, so i know the feeling. i hope you find peace, my friend.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 20:09:27 GMT -5
I'm heading off to bed so I will pray for you right away n.n
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 15, 2016 20:14:26 GMT -5
Guys I really need prayer right now... I'm losing faith. I'm not even sure I believe in God right now and I'm just so confused. Things just don't make any sense and I can't tell anyone what I'm thinking because I'm scared and people in my church are relying on me to lead worship and run visuals and I just don't know what to do. Like I said I'm not even really sure about God right now but if He's there I really need help. I will absolutely pray for you. We are here for you whenever you need us. It's ok to doubt and wrestle with God; don't be afraid that He'll strike you down or something just because you're confused. If you don't mind my asking, what do you think the root of your current confusion is?
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Post by shortstop on Aug 15, 2016 20:22:44 GMT -5
Guys I really need prayer right now... I'm losing faith. I'm not even sure I believe in God right now and I'm just so confused. Things just don't make any sense and I can't tell anyone what I'm thinking because I'm scared and people in my church are relying on me to lead worship and run visuals and I just don't know what to do. Like I said I'm not even really sure about God right now but if He's there I really need help. I will absolutely pray for you. We are here for you whenever you need us. It's ok to doubt and wrestle with God; don't be afraid that He'll strike you down or something just because you're confused. If you don't mind my asking, what do you think the root of your current confusion is? Thanks <3 I'm not really sure. It's a mixture of disagreeing with some things in the Bible (like homosexuality being a sin) and other things just not making sense. If God can't affect free will, then how can he even plan things at all? And there's other stuff like how my friend's house was smashed through with a tree right on top of the chair where her mom usually does devotions at the time she was supposed to be sitting there, and if she hadn't chosen to sleep in she could be dead. Why was she basically rewarded for not doing her devotion? Why does my mom seem so much more joyful now that she's stopped going to church, married a non-Christian man, started smoking, even? She's happier now then she ever was when she was following God. Nothing just make sense and I'm trying not to cry because my dad's literally sitting three feet away from me and crap I've been typing for a very long time
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 15, 2016 20:54:44 GMT -5
I will absolutely pray for you. We are here for you whenever you need us. It's ok to doubt and wrestle with God; don't be afraid that He'll strike you down or something just because you're confused. If you don't mind my asking, what do you think the root of your current confusion is? Thanks <3 I'm not really sure. It's a mixture of disagreeing with some things in the Bible (like homosexuality being a sin) and other things just not making sense. If God can't affect free will, then how can he even plan things at all? And there's other stuff like how my friend's house was smashed through with a tree right on top of the chair where her mom usually does devotions at the time she was supposed to be sitting there, and if she hadn't chosen to sleep in she could be dead. Why was she basically rewarded for not doing her devotion? Why does my mom seem so much more joyful now that she's stopped going to church, married a non-Christian man, started smoking, even? She's happier now then she ever was when she was following God. Nothing just make sense and I'm trying not to cry because my dad's literally sitting three feet away from me and crap I've been typing for a very long time I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I've gone through similar periods of doubt where nothing seemed to make sense and I had so many unanswered questions. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I can't answer all of your questions but I'll try. On the topic of homosexuality, I would suggest you read both sides of the debate at www.gaychristian.net/greatdebate.php and prayerfully mull it over. Free will is definitely a big theological problem that people have been arguing about forever. I, personally, have come to the conclusion that God can indeed affect free will, but chooses not to. This pretty much comes down to the big Calvinism vs. Arminianism thing: does God choose who is saved, or do we? I think it's both, as both positions are supported in the Bible. How does that work? We don't know. There are a lot of things about God that don't make sense to us (see the Trinity, the hypostatic union, the omnipotence paradox, etc.), and they never will on this side of eternity. It's hard to just accept that, and it's not a satisfying answer, but it's all I've got for you on that matter right now. On the tree thing, I don't know for sure. But one thing to remember: there are forces other than those of God at work in the world. It seems as though God usually uses angels to enact His will in the world, and they are constantly battling their fallen brethren. It sounds strange, but there may have been a demonic plot to kill your friend's mom, and God's angels may have stopped it by influencing her to sleep in. Or perhaps the tree was just a tree that happened to fall, and God chose to spare your friend's mom from the damage it caused. Why didn't he stop the tree, then? I don't know. We can ask that about anything. Why didn't God stop Satan from falling? Why didn't He stop Adam and Eve from sinning? We still don't know. Again, not a satisfying answer, and I'm sorry, but nobody knows. On the subject of your mom: I'm not at all trying to say that she's "wicked" or evil or going to hell or anything, but I think the principle of Psalm 73 applies here. Going against God's will may seem joyful at first, but I think you'll see soon that she's not going to be this happy forever. Sin ultimately ends in bad things. I don't know if you're also struggling with the purported "lack of evidence" for Christianity, but if you are, I would highly recommend the books "More Than A Carpenter", "Cold-Case Christianity", and "The Case for Christ". Just one of them will show you that there are mounds of historical and rational evidence for God and Jesus. I'll be keeping you in my prayers. God loves you, and again, we are here for you whenever you need us. I pray that God sets your mind at ease soon. Edit: Forgot to mention it but maybe the church your mom was going to wasn't spiritually filling? Too legalistic or something, maybe?
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 20:55:06 GMT -5
I will absolutely pray for you. We are here for you whenever you need us. It's ok to doubt and wrestle with God; don't be afraid that He'll strike you down or something just because you're confused. If you don't mind my asking, what do you think the root of your current confusion is? Thanks <3 I'm not really sure. It's a mixture of disagreeing with some things in the Bible (like homosexuality being a sin) and other things just not making sense. If God can't affect free will, then how can he even plan things at all? And there's other stuff like how my friend's house was smashed through with a tree right on top of the chair where her mom usually does devotions at the time she was supposed to be sitting there, and if she hadn't chosen to sleep in she could be dead. Why was she basically rewarded for not doing her devotion? Why does my mom seem so much more joyful now that she's stopped going to church, married a non-Christian man, started smoking, even? She's happier now then she ever was when she was following God. Nothing just make sense and I'm trying not to cry because my dad's literally sitting three feet away from me and crap I've been typing for a very long time this is a fun one. We don't have free will
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 15, 2016 20:56:28 GMT -5
Thanks <3 I'm not really sure. It's a mixture of disagreeing with some things in the Bible (like homosexuality being a sin) and other things just not making sense. If God can't affect free will, then how can he even plan things at all? And there's other stuff like how my friend's house was smashed through with a tree right on top of the chair where her mom usually does devotions at the time she was supposed to be sitting there, and if she hadn't chosen to sleep in she could be dead. Why was she basically rewarded for not doing her devotion? Why does my mom seem so much more joyful now that she's stopped going to church, married a non-Christian man, started smoking, even? She's happier now then she ever was when she was following God. Nothing just make sense and I'm trying not to cry because my dad's literally sitting three feet away from me and crap I've been typing for a very long time this is a fun one. We don't have free will Aha, a Calvinist, I see! I believe it's a combination- we have free will, but somehow God is still ultimately sovereign.
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 20:56:34 GMT -5
I need to eat before I can go into detail as to why not, because right now typing is almost impossible like, I can't even write with a pencil, my blood sugar is so low*says the pseudo hypoglycemic*
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 20:57:26 GMT -5
this is a fun one. We don't have free will Aha, a Calvinist, I see! I believe it's a combination- we have free will, but somehow God is still ultimately sovereign. I can't really call myself a calvanist, and if i were to be demanded to defend my stance at this moment, I probably couldn't because of my current condition. My brain doesn't work well when I'm hungry, or my hands
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 15, 2016 20:57:32 GMT -5
I need to eat before I can go into detail as to why not, because right now typing is almost impossible like, I can't even write with a pencil, my blood sugar is so low*says the pseudo hypoglycemic* Lol. Have fun nomming!
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 20:58:17 GMT -5
and I agree, I believe that we have free will to an extent, and regardless of whether or not we do, we must live as if we did, in the effort of following Christ
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 20:59:03 GMT -5
nomming doesn't happen until dinner time which isn't super soon and my snacks are in the kitchen which is currently occupied by person making dinner, and smelling those pancakes isn't making this easier, haha
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 15, 2016 21:00:02 GMT -5
nomming doesn't happen until dinner time which isn't super soon and my snacks are in the kitchen which is currently occupied by person making dinner, and smelling those pancakes isn't making this easier, haha Oh no! Ripperoni
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 21:00:25 GMT -5
ripperoni in pepperoni
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 21:03:20 GMT -5
Guys I really need prayer right now... I'm losing faith. I'm not even sure I believe in God right now and I'm just so confused. Things just don't make any sense and I can't tell anyone what I'm thinking because I'm scared and people in my church are relying on me to lead worship and run visuals and I just don't know what to do. Like I said I'm not even really sure about God right now but if He's there I really need help. Will definitely pray for you! and as I am an avid music fan, can I recommend Never Gone by Colton Dixon? That song has helped me a lot and maybe it will help you too!
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 21:03:40 GMT -5
Okay, i snuck in and got some goldfish, so I'm good for about 5 minutes. I believe to believe that we have the capability to choose God is borderline prideful. We are not capable of saving ourselves, and whether or not we are saved is up to the Holy Spirit. And regardless of our fate, it brings glory to God, which is the ultimate purpose of us, essentially
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 21:06:41 GMT -5
On a different subject, what's everyone's views on whether or not the Sabbath should be kept(according to Deuteronomy, not to the Pharisaical rules)? Personally, as it was an actual commandment, I feel it's required. I still go to church on Sundays, but I get a little salty when people(specifically one of my assistant pastors) say that it's the 'holiest day of the week', or something to that effect.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 21:07:39 GMT -5
Well here's the thing, I do believe in free will. Because if we didn't have free will, then what of the point of sin? Obviously I don't know God's ultimate plan, but He does make it clear that He wants us to choose Him rather than be forced to choose Him or already just be under His command. Obviously He knows who will choose and who won't choose, but the fact remains that He wants us to choose Him over sin and the world.
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 15, 2016 21:07:44 GMT -5
Guys I really need prayer right now... I'm losing faith. I'm not even sure I believe in God right now and I'm just so confused. Things just don't make any sense and I can't tell anyone what I'm thinking because I'm scared and people in my church are relying on me to lead worship and run visuals and I just don't know what to do. Like I said I'm not even really sure about God right now but if He's there I really need help. Will definitely pray for you! and as I am an avid music fan, can I recommend Never Gone by Colton Dixon? That song has helped me a lot and maybe it will help you too! God really spoke to me through Colton Dixon's music when I was on the verge of losing my faith about a year ago. Amazing that it helped you too.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 21:08:52 GMT -5
On a different subject, what's everyone's views on whether or not the Sabbath should be kept(according to Deuteronomy, not to the Pharisaical rules)? Personally, as it was an actual commandment, I feel it's required. I still go to church on Sundays, but I get a little salty when people(specifically one of my assistant pastors) say that it's the 'holiest day of the week', or something to that effect. I don't really think the Sabbath is required to be kept under the new law. Besides, there was a time when Jesus "worked" or did miracles on the Sabbath and people thought it was scandalous.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 21:09:57 GMT -5
Will definitely pray for you! and as I am an avid music fan, can I recommend Never Gone by Colton Dixon? That song has helped me a lot and maybe it will help you too! God really spoke to me through Colton Dixon's music when I was on the verge of losing my faith about a year ago. Amazing that it helped you too. Wow that's so cool! Music is a very powerful thing and I think God really loves it.
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 21:10:58 GMT -5
But there is no new law, there is only the law, and the commandments the commandments don't fall under the law
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 21:11:42 GMT -5
Also, Jesus was the Lord of the sabbath, and nothing He did on them was actual 'work' as defined
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 21:12:44 GMT -5
But there is no new law, there is only the law, and the commandments the commandments don't fall under the law The new law, aka the New Testament. There were a lot of things in the Old Testament that are not required to be followed now.
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 21:14:40 GMT -5
"New Testament" is an arbitrary title, it doesn't mean anything The bible isn't intended to be "split up", there is a definite 'change in tone', but it's not a separate covenant or law. It's more like an inclusive clause that was amended to the initial text
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Post by ginganinja96 on Aug 15, 2016 21:15:18 GMT -5
And I'm not intending to come across as brash in how I word this, it's just how I write
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 21:18:03 GMT -5
"New Testament" is an arbitrary title, it doesn't mean anything The bible isn't intended to be "split up", there is a definite 'change in tone', but it's not a separate covenant or law. It's more like an inclusive clause that was amended to the initial text I know that, but in the New Testament, is the law given to Christians whereas the Old Testament law was given to the Israelites.
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 15, 2016 21:18:06 GMT -5
Okay, i snuck in and got some goldfish, so I'm good for about 5 minutes. I believe to believe that we have the capability to choose God is borderline prideful. We are not capable of saving ourselves, and whether or not we are saved is up to the Holy Spirit. And regardless of our fate, it brings glory to God, which is the ultimate purpose of us, essentially I think we both do have free will and don't. Very confusing, but God obviously wants everyone to be saved, as shown in verses like 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Timothy 2:4. The classic theological of "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" also seems to suggest that a human is able to choose not to follow God, and Jesus said that He wanted to gather Jerusalem's children together, but didn't because they were unwilling. Obviously, God could have forced them to be willing, but He didn't. I believe that He chose to allow them to make their own choice. But it is also obvious that God does, in some way, choose who will be saved and what will happen, as seen in Ephesians 1:11, Romans 8:30, and numerous other verses. And so, due to these apparent conflicts in Scripture, I must conclude that yes, God predetermines things, but yes, we also have free will, and that somehow all works out. God is just too awesome and too far beyond us for us to comprehend, so I'm content to trust Him and trust that He has it all worked out.
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 15, 2016 21:20:00 GMT -5
On the question of the Sabbath, I'm just gonna throw out Colossians 2:16-17: "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." It seems like the choice is ours on whether we keep the Sabbath or not.
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